Making school travel plans work - effects, benefits and success factors at English schools

A research project to investigate English school travel planning is reported. The study objectives were to identify what individual schools had achieved, the important factors for determining achievement, and successful local authority strategies for promoting and supporting school travel plans. Data were obtained from a review of UK literature, a survey of schools nominated for effective school travel work and a follow up of 30 schools. The results showed that when local authorities engage with schools that are happy to be involved, 60-90% will reduce car use and 15-40% can reduce car use by more than 20%. Perceived benefits included safety improvements, health benefits, reduced congestion at the school gate, and improvements in attendance and punctuality. Successful strategies for promoting walking, cycling and bus and train use are discussed. Effective travel plan processes are identified with reference to the reasons why schools get involved, management arrangements, resources, consultation, formalising the aims of school travel work, and sustaining school travel work.